The neutralizer is an element of the car’s exhaust system, which enhances the reaction to reduce the amount of toxic emissions of the vehicle. Thanks to the converter, purified exhaust is emitted into the atmosphere, which positively affects the environment.
The service life of the converter is 100–120 thousand km of mileage. This is the average figure stated by the manufacturer. A non-working device can be recycled. Here https://autocatalystmarket.com/us/en/buyers catalytic converters are accepted on favorable terms, offering the highest prices.
How does the converter work?
The converter has a simple structure. It passes through itself the chemicals that are formed by the combustion of fuel and cleans them of harmful impurities. As a result, the car’s exhaust becomes non-dangerous.
Gradually, the catalytic converter honeycomb deteriorates, gets clogged, and the device performs its functions worse. In the early stages of clogging, the converter can still be cleaned using special equipment at an automobile service center
The internal structure of the converter has a form of honeycomb or beads, on which a thin layer of precious sputtering is applied, with the help of which the exhaust is cleaned. The precious metals (palladium, gold and platinum) react chemically with the exhaust and the gases are purified.
Why does the converter fail?
The neutralizer can stop performing its task before the term stated by the manufacturer, for many reasons:
- Mechanical damage. The internal part of the part consists of ceramic honeycombs, which are very fragile and can be damaged by mechanical impact. If the car is often driven on rough roads, bumps, kerbs, you can damage the converter. Damaged honeycomb cannot be repaired, it begins to crumble, blocking the work of gas purification.
- The converter becomes clogged due to engine and exhaust system malfunctions. This happens when the amount of oil in the exhaust increases. The engine “eats” oil, and the car owner does nothing to solve the problem.
- The converter can also get clogged due to the small size of the flow honeycomb. Even a short gap is enough to clog the cells. As a result, there is soot on the cells, which adheres very strongly and is difficult to remove.
- If you fill the car with low-quality fuel, it will also affect the converter performance. Low-quality fuel does not burn completely in the cylinders, its remnants are burned out in the manifold, which causes overheating or melting of the converter.
Signs of a clogged converter
Even an inexperienced driver will be able to identify a broken converter:
- the engine does not start immediately, stalls after starting;
- the car hardly accelerates, especially when going uphill;
- when pressing the gas pedal, the driver feels some resistance;
- fuel consumption increases;
- engine failure error lights up on the dashboard.
A clogged converter requires an immediate response, because it is not recommended to drive for a long time with a broken catalytic converter.
You should not allow the converter to reach a critical condition, as it could cause engine damage, which is very expensive to repair. In addition, when taking the old converter for recycling, the evaluator takes into consideration the condition of the converter. The more deteriorated the part is, the less value will be offered for it.
Instead of the old catalytic converter, it is necessary to install a new part, preferably original, so that all systems and mechanisms of the car work without malfunction. Cars with cut converters will not be allowed to enter the territory of the EU, besides that, harmful exhaust has a very negative impact on the ecology and the environment.
